Aerobic: With oxygen, or in the presence of oxygen.

Aerobic Exercise: A method of conditioning the cardiorespiratory system by performing an activity that uses large muscle groups, is rhythmic, elevates the heart rate for a period of time, and increases the intake of oxygen.

Anaerobic Exercise: Activity that requires no oxygen; usually short spurt, high-energy activities.

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): The energy requirements necessary for maintenance of life processes such as heart beat, breathing and cell metabolic activities.

Calorie: The amount of energy necessary to raise the temperature of 1 liter of water 1° C. Also called a kilocalorie.

Carbohydrate: Organic compounds containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen; when broken down, a major energy source for muscular work and one of the basic foodstuffs.

Cardiac: Pertaining to the heart.

Carotid Pulse: Pulse located on the carotid artery down from the corner of the eye, just under the jawbone; common site used for taking heart rate.

Cool-Down: Rhythmic, low-intensity aerobic activities that provide a transition period between high-intensity aerobic work and less aerobically taxing calisthenics, stretching or the end of the workout.

Cross-Training: Engaging in a variety of physical activities and exercise modalities including both cardiovascular and strength training exercises; a training method that can be used to help minimize boredom, maintain motivation and prevent overuse syndrome.

Empty Calories: A term used to denote food contributing calories that are void of significant food value and nutrients, i.e., alcohol, simple sugars.

Endurance: Ability to sustain a physical activity or continue exerting a force over time.

Fat: Stored as adipose tissue in the body, it serves as a concentrated source of energy for muscular work; a compound containing glycerol and fatty acids.

Fatigue: A diminished capacity for work as a result of prolonged or excessive exertion or inadequate fuel.

Flexibility: The range of motion around a joint.

HDL: High-density lipoproteins ("good" cholesterol) that return unused fat to the liver for disposal; HDL levels are raised by aerobic exercise and are beneficial due to their "removal" effect on harmful LDL (low-density) lipoproteins.

Heart Rate: The number of times the heart beats in one minute.

Intensity: Degree of resistance, energy or difficulty as related to a workout.

Interval Training: Deliberately alternating between brief periods of lower and higher intensity levels during a workout; a method used to maximize cardiovascular endurance.

Isokinetic: Contraction in which the tension developed by the muscle while shortening at constant speed is consistent over the full range of motion.

Isometric: Contraction against an immovable force; static; a muscle contraction in which the tension increases, but muscle length remains the same.

Isotonic: Movement against a movable force; dynamic; a muscle contraction in which the tension increases while the muscle length changes (concentric: muscle shortens; eccentric: muscle lengthens).

Maximum Heart Rate: Theoretical maximum heart rate that one can achieve during his or her greatest effort in exercise, estimated to be 220 minus your age.

Metabolism: The sum total of the chemical reactions in the body at rest or during exercise.

MET: The expression of the rate of work (power output) for the human body at rest, or a metabolic equivalent. One MET is approximately equal to a person's metabolism when seated and relaxed.

Nutrients: Substance obtained from food and utilized by the body to provide energy and promote growth, maintenance and/or repair (for example, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals and water). They are necessary for all bodily functions.

Perceived Exertion: A self-selected subjective measurement of an exerciser's overall level of intensity, usually described on a scale of 1 to 10 (very, very easy to extremely hard).

Physical Fitness: An overall measure of physical attributes including cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and endurance, body composition and flexibility.

Power: Quick movement where the body is propelled either upward or outward; explosive strength; performance of work accomplished per unit of time.

Protein: A compound composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen arranged into amino acids linked in a chain, responsible for building and repair of tissue, hormone production and enzyme function.

Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA): Percent or amount of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals that should be included in the daily diet. The estimated amount of all nutrients needed daily to maintain optimal health. These estimates vary for different conditions, ages and disease processes.

Recovery Heart Rate: Heart rate taken at the end of exercise after cool-down and stretch. The amount of time it takes to recover to pre-exercise heart rate is an indication of cardiovascular health.

Reps: Abbreviation for repetitions. One complete exercise that includes both concentric and eccentric movements.

Resting Heart Rate: The number of times the heart beats in one minute while the body is at rest. This is best calculated by measuring your pulse for one minute in the morning before getting out of bed. Record this number for five consecutive days and take the average to determine your resting heart rate.

Sets: A group of reps; as in one set of 12 reps.

Shin Splint: A term that applies to any pain in the front portion of the lower leg. May be caused by overuse, inflammation of muscles and tendons or small muscle tears.

Spot Rgraphics/ing: A popular but false assumption that an individual can "burn" fat only in desired areas. Fat is not rgraphics/ed selectively from exercised areas, but rather from total fat stored throughout the body.

Sprain: Often the result of sudden forceful movement, injury that damages ligaments as well as joints.

Static Stretch: Stretching/elongating a muscle and holding a steady point without bouncing for a period of 20 seconds.

Strain: Muscle pull; a stretch, tear or rip of the muscle or adjacent connective tissue, such as fascia or muscle tendon. Usually occurs from an excessive effort.

Strength: Amount of force a muscle or muscle group can exert against resistance.

Strength Training: Working the muscles against external resistance to increase muscular strength, muscular endurance or muscular power.

Target Heart Rate Zone: The number of heartbeats per minute reflecting the exercise intensity that gains the maximum training benefits from an aerobic workout. The formula for obtaining a target heart rate equals 220 minus your age x 60% - 85%, depending on the individual's fitness goals and physical condition. Also referred to as Training Heart Rate Zone.

Telemetry: The process by which the heart rate is transmitted from a heart rate monitor chest strap to a receiver on a piece of cardiovascular equipment or in a wristwatch receiver.

Warm-Up: A balanced combination of increasingly intense aerobic exercises and stretches that prepare the body and the mind for more vigorous exercise.

Watts: The expression of the mechanical rate of work (power output) for a device, such as a cardiovascular machine.